Can’t find that last fossil or Banandium Gem in Donkey Kong Bananza? Here’s how DK’s Sonar works, how to upgrade it, and why it’s your best friend underground.
Destruction Is Fun—But Good Luck Finding Anything
Let’s be real: one of the coolest things in Donkey Kong Bananza is smashing through terrain like a gorilla wrecking ball. But that same destruction makes tracking down every last collectible a total mind game. Buried Banandium Gems? Fossils under ten layers of dirt? Hidden challenge rooms? Yeah, you’re gonna need more than luck.
Enter: DK’s Sonar—a feature the game kinda glosses over but ends up being a total game-changer once you know how to use (and upgrade) it.
How Sonar Works in Donkey Kong Bananza
Surprise—you start the game with Sonar. No unlock needed.
How to use it:
- Hand Slap (R Button):
This iconic DK move doesn’t just smack the ground—it also sends out a short-range pulse that briefly highlights buried objects nearby. You’ll see a glowing outline flash through the terrain. - Bonus: The slap also grabs items in reach. So yeah, efficient and aggressive.
What Sonar Reveals:
- Banandium Gems
- Fossils
- Hidden Challenge Entrances
- Treasure Chests
- Banandium Chips
Basically, anything important that doesn’t want to be found.
Why Early Sonar Kind of Sucks (and How to Fix That)
Okay, let’s not sugarcoat it: the base Sonar range is tiny. Like “hope you’re standing on top of it” tiny. At first, it’s basically a glorified guess-aid.
But thankfully, there’s a fix…
How to Upgrade DK’s Sonar
Head into the Skill Tree and look for the Better Sonar ability.
Each rank you invest adds more range to your pulse. Fully maxed out, it gives you a 160% range boost—which is huge. You’ll go from “poke around aimlessly” to “scan half a room” real quick.
Pro Tip:
This upgrade is a must if you’re trying to 100% the game or even just casually track down every fossil. The payoff is instant.
Bonus Sonar Boost with Kong Bananza
If you’re rolling around as Kong Bananza, there’s an extra way to juice your scan power:
- Equip Pauline with the Lagoon Vest, which you can snag from the Style Shop in the Lagoon Layer (costs Fossils).
- This vest buffs Sonar while in Kong Bananza mode, letting you scan farther while also wrecking terrain like a jungle tank.
Combo Tip: Go Kong Bananza + Pauline’s Lagoon Vest + maxed Better Sonar. That’s full scanner mode.
Thoughts from the Dig Site
Look, Donkey Kong Bananza isn’t holding your hand when it comes to exploration. That’s part of the fun—but also where a smart Sonar setup comes in clutch. If you’re relying on sheer luck or guesswork to find stuff underground, you’re gonna burn out fast.
Upgrade your Sonar, slap the ground like a legend, and let the glowing outlines guide you to every last hidden gem.
Also check:
Breaking Neptunite & Completing Banana 58 – Donkey Kong Bananza Canyon Layer SL300 Guide
Lagoon Layer Whale Fossil Guide – Donkey Kong Bananza
How to Find Every Banandium Gem in Shifty Platform Road – Donkey Kong Bananza
